Kawakatsu

Upon seeing the text written on the black flag, Miketsu stood rooted to the spot, her brow tightly furrowed as a flurry of thoughts surged through her mind.

That stone divine tablet, which was enshrined in her own main hall and engraved with her divine name—the pattern on its back was actually the character for 'Qin' in its ancient pictographic form? Was it the so-called 'Oracle Bone Script'? If that were the case, did it mean the stone tablet was at least a product of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, a genuine ancient relic with a history spanning thousands of years? It was no wonder the piece looked so crude and the patterns carved upon it were so primitive and abstract; if it originated during the dawn of civilization, everything made sense.

Though the Hata Clan had always claimed a bloodline connection to the Qin Dynasty of the Central Plains, Miketsu had largely dismissed it as self-aggrandizing bluster—a story fabricated to grant them a more prestigious ancestry for better social standing in this land. However, her perspective had now shifted. She felt that perhaps there truly was a trace of an actual link between the Hata here and the Qin Dynasty, which had been extinguished for nearly a millennium.

If that was the case, then that stone tablet was likely a legacy passed down by the Hata people from the pre-Qin era. Had the Hata brought it with them when they migrated eastward to these lands, only to later carve the name of Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami onto it to serve as the divine tablet for the Inari deity? And if so, what was their reason for doing this?

Her mind raced, and Miketsu considered questioning Hata no Michikiyo or Menreiki later about the early history of the Hata Clan's arrival in Japan. Yet, on second thought, she realized these matters might be mysteries even to them.

The Hata Clan had suffered a devastating blow due to Menreiki’s awakening. Not only was the main branch of the family completely wiped out, but their grandest ancestral estate had been lost as well. Hata no Michikiyo was merely from a side branch who had temporarily taken over the sacrificial duties at the Inari Shrine; it was unlikely he knew details about such a distant past. And while Menreiki was the daughter of the main household, she was born of a concubine and was not yet fifteen when the tragedy struck; it was impossible for her to have been privy to such secrets.

“A person of Qin, then... I truly didn't expect a branch of that ancient, distinguished clan would migrate this far east...” Miketsu muttered to herself, walking slowly toward the high seat and looking up at the black flag hanging above it. At that moment, an unexpected voice drifted from behind her.

“No one would ever wish to leave their ancestral home unless forced by the hand of destiny...”

Miketsu spun around instantly. What she saw was a woman sitting respectfully in the first subordinate seat to the right of the main throne, watching her with a reverent gaze. It was the elusive, mysterious Matara Okina, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

“It's you...”

In the face of Miketsu's startled expression, Okina bowed slightly and spoke with profound respect.

“My deepest gratitude to you for rescuing that child from the prison of her own making and for liberating her tormented soul. The tragedy that befell this estate has long been a weight upon my heart that I could not set down. Finally, I feel a sense of relief...”

Hearing Okina’s words, Miketsu's brow deepened into a frown, and she replied pointedly.

“Judging by your words... you seem to have known the cause of this estate's tragedy all along. Since you wanted to solve the problem, why didn't you step in yourself? Why wait for me?” As Miketsu spoke, she noted that Okina’s strength was formidable; moreover, as the original owner of Qin Xin, she should have been perfectly capable of dealing with Menreiki.

“Had it merely been a matter of disposing of the girl, I certainly could have done it. But that was not what I desired. I wished for her to be liberated from her mental shackles...” Okina replied calmly to Miketsu’s interrogation.

“Then, since you held Qin Xin before this, you should have been able to change her psyche as well, shouldn't you?”

“Qin Xin indeed possesses the power to change her spirit, but such an act requires the trust of her mature personality. That is something I could not attain. But you could...” Okina continued. Miketsu was momentarily stunned by the explanation.

The trust of her mature personality? That meant if Menreiki’s blackened personality had been unwilling to cooperate, even having Qin Xin would have been useless. And yet, the black Menreiki had said she felt an inexplicable affinity for Miketsu... Suddenly, Miketsu recalled something Okina had said during their last parting.

“So... she is the ‘other child’ you mentioned back then... Was all of this within your calculations?” Miketsu asked slowly. Okina simply smiled, a silent admission.

“That child was born into this world with power that should not exist in this era. With no one to guide her in its proper use, tragedy was inevitable... My intent has always been for her to find her true self and eventually gain control over that power. Unfortunately, she refused to let me near—none of her personalities would trust me.”

After hearing Okina’s explanation, Miketsu let out a long breath. Following that conversation, several of her internal theories had been confirmed. Facing Okina, she spoke with a solemn gravity.

“What is your true purpose? Matara Okina... or perhaps, should I address you as... Hata no Kawakatsu?”

In truth, Miketsu and Tsuruha had long harbored suspicions regarding Matara Okina’s identity, but they had always lacked the final piece of evidence to be certain. Now, Miketsu had gathered enough information to make a judgment.

Okina possessed Qin Xin, the Mask of Saintly Virtue, which had vanished after the death of Hata no Kawakatsu. She possessed knowledge of secrets that predated the very founding of the Inari Shrine. She treated Miketsu with unwavering reverence. She even referred to both Qin Xin and Menreiki—who was merged with the Mask of Kawakatsu—as her ‘children.’ Matara Okina was Hata no Kawakatsu, the great minister to Prince Shotoku and the most important clan leader of the Hata upon their arrival in Japan!

Hearing Miketsu’s words, Okina smiled faintly and spoke with utter frankness.

“I have not used that name in a very long time... Hata no Kawakatsu the human has long since passed away. The one before you now is merely a Secret Deity... Matara Okina.”

“A Secret Deity...” Miketsu pressed her lips together at the unfamiliar term.

“My apologies. Due to certain constraints, there is much I cannot disclose to you yet. But please rest assured, as I have stated before, I am forever on your side. I would never harbor a thought that could bring you harm.” Okina, having tacitly admitted to being Hata no Kawakatsu, continued her explanation. Miketsu pulled a slight face, choosing to tentatively believe her.

From her previous performance, this person clearly understood Miketsu—and the Inari Shrine—better than even she and Tsuruha did. If Okina truly intended harm, Miketsu likely wouldn't even be able to mount a proper defense.